Survivors of Tragic Crash Still in Hospital

The twin sister of a young man who lost his partner and daughter in a horrific road traffic collision has told how they are praying for him and the couple’s other daughter to pull through.

Mother and daughter Natalie and Ella McLaughlin

were killed following a collision

between a car and a van at Glentogher outside Carndonagh, Co. Donegal, on Wednesday evening.

Little Ella, 6, died at the scene and her devoted mother Natalie, who was in her 20s, passed away the following day at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast.

Natalie’s partner, Tyrone Irwin, and the couple’s other daughter, Rhea-Rose, 2, are still being treated in hospital following the devastating crash.

Tyrone’s twin sister, Shannon, yesterday revealed her brother is now out of the Intensive Care Unit, where he is being treated at

Altnagelvin Hospital

in Derry.

She thanked the hundreds of people who have sent messages of condolence and support to her and other extended family members of the victims.

‘My twin brother has now moved out of ICU, which is great, but it’s going to be a long road, he’s not out of the woods,’ Shannon said on social media.

‘He’s stable at the moment, he’s conscious, [but] he’s got a lot of injuries. He knows how much support he has… it’s going to be a long road.’

Shannon also revealed little Rhea-Rose, who is being treated at the

Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast

, now has to undergo major surgery on her legs as a result of the crash.

She said: ‘My other wee niece is still in the Royal and she is going to need surgery next week on her two wee legs… it’s just at this difficult time, the support, the messages and all are much appreciated, there’s just so many to get back to.

‘Things are just so… everything’s numb at the minute. We’re all still in shock, but I just want to let you know that we appreciate every single one of you, every single message, thank you all so much again.’

Natalie and Ella’s funerals will take place tomorrow.

Hundreds of people are expected to attend both the wake and the funeral to pay their respects to the widely-known mother and daughter.

Natalie was a respected nurse at a local surgery in Carndonagh, while Ella was a senior infant pupil at St Patrick’s Girls National School, also in Carndonagh.

Their funeral mass will take place at 12pm in the Sacred Heart Church, Carndonagh, followed by interment in the adjoining graveyard.

Natalie and Ella are due to be removed to the home of Natalie’s parents, Joanne and Danny McLaughlin.

The public has been invited to pay their respects today between 1pm and 9pm. The heartbroken family have asked that all other times remain private including the morning of the funeral.

In their obituary notice, Natalie and Ella are described as the ‘much loved mother and sister of Rhea-Rose and cherished daughter and granddaughter of Joanne and Danny and adored sister and niece of Lara, Tiarnan and Ryan’.

Their death notice adds: ‘Deeply regretted and sadly missed by their grandparents and great grandparents, Lynn and Anthony Noone and Margaret and Hugh McLaughlin, Natalie’s partner Tyrone, nieces and nephews, wider family circle, friends and neighbours.

‘May Ella and Natalie Rest In Eternal Peace.’